Coral+Reef+-+Vi+Ta+and+Khanh+Phung

DESCRIPTION Coral reefs, known for their high biodiversity, are located in the tropical and sub-tropical warm and shallow waters widespread across the world. The Great Barrier Reef, the longest coral reef system off the East coast of Australia, has more than 400 coral species, 1,500 tropical fish species, and 200 bird species. The main attraction of coral reefs is the titular coral. Without corals, the entire coral reef would be endangered. Corals are small animals with a limestone external skeleton. Coral reefs include fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls. Corals provide homes for many organisms, while providing aesthetically beautiful scenery. Coral reefs are found in shallow water from the West Atlantic, East Atlantic, and East Pacific.

The most common photosynthetic organisms besides bacteria are mangroves, s ea grasses, red algae, and green algae.


FAUNA

Coral reef animals are the most conspicuous part of coral reef life. The coral is the foundation of coral reef ecosystems. Some of the abundant animal species are:
 * Soft coral[[image:turtle.jpg width="391" height="318" align="right"]]
 * Sharks
 * Butterfly fish
 * Sea stars
 * Cuttlefish
 * Anemone
 * Sea turtles
 * Sea snakes
 * Dugongs
 * Manatees
 * Sponges
 * Mollusks

SEASONAL TEMPERATURE


 * Coral reefs are normally found where water temperatures range between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius



SEASONAL PRECIPITATION


 * Rainiest months in the coral reef regions are December, January, February, and March.



HUMAN IMPACTS & INTERACTIONS

Silts, mud, fertilizers and herbicides in the surrounding land washes down ito the coral reefs and da mage the delicate coral reefs. Mud and silts cover the coral reefs in clouds of haze while the herbicides kill off algae and plant life in the water. The fertilizer also overexposes nutrients to the biome, causing certain types of algae to grow at a faster rate. The overgrown algae choke the coral reefs and attract predators that destroy living coral. Humans also cause damage to coral reefs by causing oil spills and pollution which can take years for the biome to recover from. Fishermen and dive boat operators damage the reef system with the use of their boat propellers and anchors, which crushes the delicate coral. Tourism also affects the reef system because islanders use blasts boat through the reef channels to attract tourists to the coral reefs. Tourists also tend to break off a piece of the coral as a memento of their trip that takes years for the reef to generate. Divers and snorkelers also cause harm to the coral reefs by not treating the coral carefully and not being cautious, breaking the delicate coral.

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